LEAD how this story ends is up to us

About LEAD how this story ends is up to us

ENDLEADPOISONING.ORG L E A D the true story of one child, his mysterious lead poisoning and his mother’s unwavering fight to keep him safe. Written and produced by Shannon Burkett Co-produced by Jenny Maguire Directed by Alan Taylor Starring Merritt Wever, Alessandro Nivola, Cynthia Nixon, Alysia Reiner and Cooper Burkett. Music by Peter Salett Sound by Andy Kris Casting by Alaine Alldaffer and Lisa Donadio Please go to endleadpoisoning.org for full cast, crew, corresponding photos/videos, and to learn how to reduce lead exposure in children.

Publisher

EndLeadPoisoningPodcast

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

16 Apr 2025

Latest episode

24 Jul 2026

Latest episodes

1 of 14 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   24 Jul 2026TRANSCRIPT

   LEAD Talks | Lead Poisoning and Serial Killers in the Northwest with Caroline Frasier

   Shannon Burkett interviews Pulitzer Prize-winning author Caroline Fraser about lead poisoning's link to serial killer outbreaks in the Northwest.

2. 

   3 Feb 2026

   LEAD Talks February 23 2026 Unicef Senior Advisor

   We’re back with a very special guest.In this episode of Lead Talks, Shannon sits down with UNICEF Senior Advisor Abheet Solomon to talk about the global lead poisoning crisis and the work behind the Partnership for a Lead Free Future.UNICEF estimates that one in three children worldwide has been poisoned by lead. It is a preventable public health emergency hiding in plain sight.From invisible exposure to real solutions, this conversation breaks down why lead remains one of the most under-addressed threats to children’s health and what it will take to finally end it.

3. 

   9 Dec 2025

   Lead Talks December 4 2025 Dr. Chase Moon

   Lead Talks | Protecting Kids From Toxic Chemicals The everyday spaces our kids grow up in are quietly shaping their health for the rest of their lives. Dr. Chase Moon is one of the remarkable physicians working to keep those spaces safe.In this episode of Lead Talks, Dr. Moon, Environmental Pediatrician at Mount Sinai, pulls back the curtain on how toxins like lead and PFAS impact children long before most families know there is a danger. He explains why these exposures are so often invisible, what happens when terrified parents come searching for answers, and how advocacy, medicine, and community action all fit together.Watch this episode of Lead Talks and then learn more about Shannon's story by listening to "LEAD: How This Story Ends Is Up To Us" wherever you get your podcasts.#endleadpoisoning #leadtalks #environmentalpediatrician #toxins #pfas #lead

4. 

   4 Dec 2025

   LEAD Talks November 6 2025 Jade Shirey and Lisa Schmidtfrerick-Miller

   This episode of LEAD Talks shares one of the most powerful conversations yet — a deeply personal look at what happens when prevention fails.Advocate Jade Shirey recounts the moment she unknowingly exposed her son to lead dust while sanding her stairs and the devastating aftermath that followed. Joining her is Lisa Schmidtfrerick-Miller, a local lead prevention and healthy housing advocate, who sheds light on the systemic failures that continue to leave families unprotected.Together, they discuss the fight for awareness, the emotional toll of navigating broken systems, and why lead poisoning remains 100% preventable.#LEADTalks #LEADPodcast #EndLeadPoisoning #PublicHealth #EnvironmentalJustice #RightToKnow #SafeHomes

5. 

   26 Oct 2025

   LEAD Talks October 6 2025 Retired EPA Senior Toxicologist Mark Maddaloni

   Our guest is retired EPA Senior Toxicologist Mark Maddaloni. He is the real "John" from Episode 1.

6. 

   27 Sept 2025

   LEAD Talks September 26 2025 Clean+Healthy NY Bobbi Wilding and Gabrielle Gonzales

   Bobbi Wilding is the Executive Director  and co-founder of Clean+Healthy, an organization dedicated to creating a just and sustainable society, in which every community and neighborhood is free of toxic chemicals. Wilding is the recipient of a 2019 Children’s Environmental Health Champion award from the NYS Children’s Environmental Health Centers. Gabrielle Gonzales is the Environmental Justice & Health Project Manager for Clean+Healthy and came to New York from Portland, Oregon. She got a BS in Environmental Sciences from Portland State University. As a Chicanx womxn, they hope to elevate populations that are often overlooked and create a fair playing field on the most basic level of a healthy environment.

7. 

   24 Sept 2025

   LEAD Talks September 19 2025 Darlene Medley Mother of Lead Affected Children

   Darlene is a mother of lead affected children and an activist in Syracuse, NY.

8. 

   11 Sept 2025

   LEAD Talks September 11 2025 Assemblymember Jonathan Rivera from Buffalo

   Welcome to LEAD Talks! Where communities can come together. This week we are honored to have as our guest, Assemblymember Jonathan D. Rivera. He is the Assemblymember for New York State’s 149th Assembly District, representing parts of the cities of Buffalo and Lackawanna, the town of Hamburg including the villages of Blasdell and Hamburg, and the hamlet of Lake View. AM Rivera is the sponsor of The Lead Paint Right to Know Act, which passed the Assembly 106:to 40! He is a life-long resident of Buffalo, where he resides with his daughter, Ana. Growing up as the son of a police officer and teacher aide, his family demonstrated the value and honor of serving the community. Jon is a proud graduate of the Buffalo Public Schools, where he went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Buffalo State College in Business Administration. He has also earned a master’s degree in political management from George Washington University. Jon began his own public service career in the office of Congressman Brian Higgins, where he represented the Congressman in the community, and advocated for constituent needs in Washington. Jon then turned his career to the private sector, where he worked for HSBC Bank. There, he quickly became a Licensed Sales Professional (LSP). In this role, he managed multiple branches. After growing a career in banking, Jon sought a return to public service and accepted a position in the office of the Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz as the liaison to the County Legislature. After a few years, Jon was promoted the Special Assistant to the Commissioner of Public Works in Erie County. As a volunteer, Jon has been an active member of the community, serving as the board chair of Open Buffalo, a board member of the Massachusetts Avenue Project and Hispanics United of Buffalo, as well as Chair of the Erie County Commission of New Americans. Jon has served in the New York State Assembly since 2021 and has spent his time in office championing issues related to lead poisoning and housing reforms, refugee resettlement, education investment, waterfront issues, and tourism. As of 2025, he is the Chair of the Administrative Regulations Review Committee and the Chair of the Subcommittee on Regional Tourism Development.

9. 

   25 Jun 2025

   Episode 5 - Redemption

   After years of carrying the weight of lead, Shannon and Cooper find a path out from under the darkness and into the sunlight. LEAD: how this story ends is up to us is an audio docudrama series that tells the true story of one child, his mysterious lead poisoning, and his mother's unwavering fight to keep him safe. A true story written by Shannon Burkett. Directed by Alan Taylor. Starring Merritt Wever, Alessandro Nivola, Cynthia Nixon, and Cooper Burkett. Lead was produced by Shannon Burkett. Co-produced by Jenny Maguire. Featuring Amy Acker, Tom Butler, Dennis T. Carnegie, James Carpinello, Geneva Carr, Dann Fink, Alice Kris, Adriane Lenox, Katie O’Sullivan, Greg Pirenti, Armando Riesco, Shirley Rumierk, Thom Sesma, and Lana Young. Music by Peter Salett. “Joy In Resistance” written by Abena Koomson-Davis and performed by Resistance Revival Chorus. Casting by Alaine Alldaffer and Lisa Donadio. Sound Design by Andy Kris. Recording Engineer Krissopher Chevannes. For corresponding visuals and more information on how to protect children from lead exposure please go to endleadpoisoning.org.

10. 

    11 Jun 2025

    Episode 4 - The Long Haul

    As the deficits from the lead poisoning continue to intensify, Shannon looks to hold the people who hurt her son responsible. LEAD how this story ends is up to us is a true story written and produced by Shannon Burkett. Co-produced by Jenny Maguire. Directed by Alan Taylor. Starring Merritt Wever, Alessandro Nivola, Cynthia Nixon, and Cooper Burkett. Episode 4 features Eboni Booth, Sasha Eden, Kevin Kane, April Matthis, Alysia Reiner, and Mandy Siegfried. Casting by Alaine Alldaffer and Lisa Donadio. Music by Peter Salett. Sound Design by Andy Kris. Recording Engineer Krissopher Chevannes. For corresponding visuals and more information on how to protect children from lead exposure please go to endleadpoisoning.org.

11. 

    4 Jun 2025

    Episode 3 - Fraying at the Edges

    As the effects of the lead starts to take its toll on Cooper, Shannon desperately tries to navigate the severity of their new reality. LEAD how this story ends is up to us is a true story written and produced by Shannon Burkett. Co-produced by Jenny Maguire. Directed by Alan Taylor. Starring Merritt Wever, Alessandro Nivola, Cynthia Nixon, and Cooper Burkett. Episode 3 features Jenny Maguire, JD Mollison, Laith Nakli, Deirdre O’Connell, Carolyn Baeumler, Zach Shaffer, and Monique Woodley. Casting by Alaine Alldaffer and Lisa Donadio. Music by Peter Salett. Sound Design by Andy Kris. Recording Engineer Krissopher Chevannes. For corresponding visuals and more information on how to protect children from lead exposure please go to endleadpoisoning.org.

12. 

    28 May 2025

    Episode 2 - Stop the Spiral

    As the lead takes its toll on Cooper's development, Shannon searches for answers. Desperate to get a handle on what was happening to her son, she grabs onto a life boat - nursing school. Andy tries to piece together the past to make sense of the present. LEAD how this story ends is up to us is a true story written and produced by Shannon Burkett. Co-produced by Jenny Maguire. Directed by Alan Taylor. Starring Merritt Wever, Alessandro Nivola, Cynthia Nixon, and Cooper Burkett Episode 2 features Keith Nobbs and Frank Wood. Music by Peter Salett. Sound Design by Andy Kris. Recording Engineer Krissopher Chevannes. Casting by Alaine Alldaffer and Lisa Donadio. For corresponding visuals and more information on how to protect children from lead exposure please go to endleadpoisoning.org.

13. 

    20 May 2025

    Episode 1 - The Monster in the Walls

    When a mysterious dust fills her apartment, Shannon, pregnant, living with her husband and their small child, was repeatedly told there was nothing in the dust. The truth begins to unravel when she gets a call from the pediatrician -  the monster deep in the walls had been unleashed and was wreaking havoc on their son. LEAD how this story ends is up to us is a true story written and produced by Shannon Burkett. Co-produced by Jenny Maguire. Directed by Alan Taylor. Starring Merritt Wever, Alessandro Nivola, Cynthia Nixon, and Cooper Burkett. Episode 1 features Zak Orth, Jenny Maguire, Daphne Gaines, and Micheal Gaston. Music by Peter Salett. Sound Design by Andy Kris. Recording Engineer Krissopher Chevannes. Casting by Alaine Alldaffer and Lisa Donadio. For corresponding visuals and more information on how to protect children from lead exposure please go to endleadpoisoning.org.

14. 

    16 Apr 2025

    LEAD - Trailer

    *HOW THIS STORY ENDS IS UP TO US* LEAD: An audio docudrama series inspired by the true story of one child, his mysterious lead poisoning and his mother’s unwavering fight to keep him safe. Written and Produced by Shannon Burkett Co-Produced by Jenny Maguire Directed by Alan Taylor FEATURING Merritt Wever (Unbelievable, Severance) Alessandro Nivola (The Brutalist, The Many Saints of Newark) Cooper Burkett (Lead Advocate, High School Student) Alysia Reiner (The Diplomat, Better Things) Cynthia Nixon (The Gilded Age, Sex and the City) After a routine check-up reveals elevated lead levels in her nine-month-old son, Shannon sets out on a quest to find the source of the exposure and keep her son safe. Finding herself powerless against the devastation lead is wreaking on her son’s body and brain, Shannon goes back to school to obtain a nursing degree. Armed with knowledge, science, and everyday angels, the family begins to unravel the mystery. True recovery and healing begin when mother and son discover the power in sharing their story, working together, and advocating to end this perfectly preventable disease. Please go to endleadpoisoning.org for corresponding photos/video and to learn more about how to reduce lead exposure in children. Cast includes: Amy Acker, Carolyn Baeumler,  Eboni Booth, Tom Butler, Dennis T. Carnegie, James Carpinello, Geneva Carr, Daphne Gaines, Sasha Eden, Dann Fink, Michael Gaston, Kevin Kane, Alice Kris, Adriane Lenox, Jenny Maguire, April Matthis, JD Mollison, Laith Nakli, Keith Nobbs, Deirdre O’Connell, Katie O’Sullivan, Zak Orth, Greg Pirenti, Armando Riesco, Shirley Rumierk, Mandy Siegfried, Tom Sesma, Zach Shaffer, Frank Wood & Lana Young

Inside a recent episode

LEAD Talks | Lead Poisoning and Serial Killers in the Northwest with Caroline Frasier

Published 24 Jul 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] There's more. I mean, there was a guy named Rick Nevins who sort of aggregated a number of studies. and pointed to a lot of historical evidence for this in various places. So I began to think about, well, maybe you could look at what were the sources of lead in the Northwest. I knew that Ted Bundy had come from Tacoma, the city south of Seattle. I knew that Gary Ridgeway, the Green River Killer, also grew up near Tacoma, which I thought was weird. But then I found out that Charles Manson also spent some significant time in that area. And so I started looking at Tacoma and quickly, of course, discovered that it was a hotbed of lead. […]

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

23,792

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

22 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 31 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

14

Social presence

0

YouTube

72

Engagement

51

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